Animal/Zoo Keeper (Immediate Start Available) Full Time NEW

Job Title

Zookeeper / Animal Keeper

Department

Animal Management

Reports To

Senior Keeper / Animal Manager

Contract

Full Time – 5 Days per Week

Working Days – Rotational Roster across 7 days per week including Bank Holidays

Rate

National Minimum Wage

Job Purpose

The Zookeeper / Animal Keeper will be responsible for the daily care and welfare of animals across the farm park and zoo collection. This is a varied, hands on role working with both domestic and non-domestic species, including (but not limited to) equines, hoof stock, mammals, birds, reptiles, and falconry species.

The role also plays a key part in visitor experience, delivering engaging public talks, keeper interactions, and live animal displays such as falconry shows, while promoting animal welfare, conservation, and education in a family-friendly setting.

As a “Cover keeper” your daily role will include a rotation of duties around the site. This will be to ensure variety for you and your teammates and to allow the park to deliver the best experience for visitors.

Our initial vision for the future of the farm is to become a combination of a working farm and zoo collection. So, and understanding and acceptance of working practices is a must.

Our aim would be to have a farm to fork showcase, where products produced on the farm are then sold at the farm and across its facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care & Husbandry

• Provide high standards of daily animal care, including feeding, cleaning, bedding, and enclosure maintenance.
• Ensuring the dietary requirements of all animals are met at all times, to ensure long term health goals are achieved. Including preparation of all feeds including meat products for carnivorous species.
• Manage mixed collections of farm livestock and zoo species, adapting husbandry to suit different taxa and individual needs.
• Monitor animal health and behaviour, reporting concerns and maintaining accurate records.
• Assist with veterinary treatments, routine health checks, and animal movements.
• Plan and deliver appropriate enrichment to promote positive welfare outcomes.
• Follow Guidance and Policies

Taxa & Collection Management

• Work across a diverse collection, which may include:
• Equines and farm livestock
• Hoof stock and small mammals
• Birds and birds of prey (falconry)
• Reptiles and other zoo species
• Support seasonal changes such as breeding, lambing/foaling, and young animal care.

Visitor Engagement & Education

• Deliver engaging keeper talks, animal encounters, and educational sessions suitable for all ages.
• Participate in live animal displays, including falconry shows, ensuring safety and professionalism at all times.
• Interact positively with visitors, answering questions and sharing knowledge about animals, farming, and conservation.
• Support hands-on visitor experiences where appropriate (e.g. supervised feeding or animal encounters).

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Follow all health & safety procedures, risk assessments, and safe systems of work.
• Maintain high standards of biosecurity, hygiene, and disease control across farm and zoo areas.
• Ensure animal and visitor safety during public interactions and displays.

Teamwork & Site Support

• Work closely with the wider farm park, zoo, and education teams to support daily operations.
• Assist with site presentation, opening/closing routines, and general animal area maintenance.
• Be flexible to support busy periods, events, and seasonal demands.

Skills & Experience

Essential:

· Significant experience working as a zookeeper or animal keeper.

• Practical knowledge of animal welfare and husbandry across multiple species.
• Confident communicator with experience engaging the public.
• Willingness to work weekends, bank holidays, and outdoors in all weather.
• Physically fit and comfortable with manual work.

· Basic understanding of current SSSMZP and legislative, practice and requirement changes needed, relating to the updated SMZP 2025.

• Relevant animal management qualification (Level 3 or equivalent experience ).

Desirable:

• Experience with falconry or birds of prey. (Training can be provided)
• Experience working with farm livestock and/or mixed collections.
• First aid, animal handling, or livestock certifications.

Personal Attributes

• Friendly, enthusiastic, and visitor focused.
• Strong work ethic with a flexible and proactive approach.
• Passionate about animal welfare, farming, and conservation education.
• Calm, professional, and confident when working with animals and the public.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £12.71 per hour

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Loughborough LE12 6LU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Experienced or comfortable with public speaking

Education:

• Certificate of Higher Education (required)

Experience:

• ZooKeeper: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person